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Do thinner needles leak more?

Jessitalia

Jessitalia

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hello all,

I've been prescribed new pen needles that are 0.23 thick. My old ones were 0.3 thick.

I was excited, thinking thinner needles would be slightly more comfortable (every little helps), but I THINK they are leaking when I inject! I usually do experience a little leakage but this seems more than usual.

I guess my question is: is this likely or my [sensitive to Diabetes change] imagination?
 
Hi. Happy New Year! Regarding leakage, I have had 0.25mm (31G) needles since I was put on Insulin nearly 3 months ago (I'm Type 2) and yes, I have had leakage (some quite spectacular!). I have also had painful lumps and difficulty injecting. I have been told that this is due to my incorrect technique. To answer your question I would say that leakage is likely. I sometimes have to have 2 or 3 goes at it - then try and guesstimate how much insulin I've lost to the atmosphere, floor, clothing etc. and compensate with what I gauge is the additional dosage to make up my units. This is my own method, I do not recommend it for anyone on a strict dosage - speak to your Diabetic Specialist. Hope this helps.
 
I would suspect that the thinner the needle the longer you have to keep it in after injecting I was told yrs. ago to keep it in for 10 secs. now with thinner needles it may take longer to finish coming out thus if you remove to early it will still be coming out try keeping needle in longer say 20 secs
 
Also depends on the make of your needle.... the cheaper ones are not the best... and these are the ones that GPs try to give you...
 
From my experience it has nothing to do with the size of the needle.

It’s more to do with technique, in my opinion!
 
NewTD2 said:
From my experience it has nothing to do with the size of the needle.

It’s more to do with technique, in my opinion!
Click to expand...
The liquid has to come out trough a narrower tube it does make sense to me that it will take seconds longer if you just keep the needle in for a bit longer it should stop leaking for those who experience leaking should be easy to check ?
Is this not part of tecnique
 
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